A series of short films about the Cidade Maravilhosa

For the people of Rio, this is nothing new. But many outsiders are surprised to know how St George is revered here in Rio de Janeiro.

Here’s a little sketch I made of the São Jorge commemorations here in Rio. Many thanks to the Igreja São Gonçalo Garcia e São Jorge for letting me film and a special thanks to my friend Roberta who gave me the idea for this film.

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Growing up, our family would always gather around the television to watch the drama and emotion of the Olympics every four years. But what is it actually like to attend an Olympic event?

With the Games in Rio, I attended the Athletics event at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Yes, I filmed this one on my phone, but the idea was to get the same exact view I was getting from the stands…oh yeah, and you’re not allowed pro-looking cameras into the Olympic venues…

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Destruction of the Brazilian Rainforest is unfortunately a common headline in the world’s news. That’s why I find the Reserva Ecológico de Guapiaçu (REGUA) so fascinating. Nicholas Locke is a landowner who decided to turn his family’s pasture land into a forest. And in only 8 years, they have seen the return of hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, mammals and insects. It is like a Garden of Eden, and only 2 hours from Rio de Janeiro.

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Zod is a graphic designer and DJ who lives in my neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. Over the last few years, his image of the Tram, arising from the tragic accident in 2011, has become a symbol of the neighbourhood

This film about a logo which is not selling anything, but rather communicating an idea, an emotion and a protest.

Thanks to Zod, and also to Youtube users B0LEND0 for the images of the Tram and Vico Goulart for the footage of the accident.

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This here is a sort of music video – where I filmed the very first rehearsal of French percussionist, Antoine Olivier, and his new musical project, a unique blending of the rhythms of the Afro-Brazilian candomblé with the beautiful jazz saxophone of his partner Glaucus Linx. I hope you enjoy it…

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Protests, marches and demonstrations are a part of everyday life now here in Rio de Janeiro. I decided to follow a group of feminists, gays and supporters on the Slut Walk as they took to the streets while the city was full of millions of young Catholics and the Pope himself were here for the World Youth Day.

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I have to admit as a Canadian in Rio, I have never gotten used to Christmas in the tropical climate. The juxtaposition of the White Christmas during the height of the summer is always amusing – so when I had the chance to spend the day at this unique Santa School in the centre of Rio, I couldn’t resist!

There was big challenge in editing this film at home – I had to keep my computer screen hidden the whole time from my 3 and 5 year old kids, in fear that a shot of a roomful of Santas might shatter their precious belief in Papai Noel!

Merry Christmas everyone, I’ll be on the beach….

And Santa, if you’re reading this….I would like a tripod for Christmas….